23 Public Speaking Secrets Gleaned from the Greats

Carol Brown from onlinecollege.org has sent me a link to a selection of quotes they have recently published. 

The article, "23 Public Speaking Secrets Gleaned from the Greats", contains 23 quotes from successful public speakers on how they approach making a speech.  While many debaters may think they know it all or may prefer more detailed training tips there are a few nuggets to at least think about in relation to your speaking style.  From "Believe in your message" to "Repeat yourself without sounding repetitive" every debater should find something to contemplate on in the list.

You can find the list at http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/02/01/23-public-speaking-secrets-gleaned-from-the-greats/)

Tips: Public Speaking

World Public Speaking Championships Rules
One thing you are bound to notice is the different speaking styles used by speakers. Speaking style is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of debating to attempt to "teach". You will have to develop your own style and preferably one that comes naturally to you. However there are a couple of things to be kept in mind.

1. You must speak clearly and loudly enough so that your voice can be heard by everyone. Remember the adjudicators will sit towards the rear of the hall so at the very least they must be able to hear what you are saying if you are to have any chance of winning. However you shouldn't shout as the halls have generally been designed so that your voice will carry towards the back.
2. Try to avoid monotone. If you are making an important point use your voice to stress it and make it stand out. Try to slowly increase the stress and force behind your voice as you go through your speech. Build up to a high point and make this the crucial point of your speech. However don't bring the audience on a rollercoaster ride. Don't start high, fall down, build-up and fall down again, it looks as though you are only convinced about the truth of half your speech
3. Keep eye-contact with the audience and don't stare at the podium. It gets easier to do this after some experience and once you use fewer notes. Some people like to pick out individuals in the audience and look at them. Others just speak to the audience as a whole. However you do it make sure to scan the audience and move your gaze to different parts of the hall regularly.
4. Use your body language to back up your speech. If you stand rigidly and don't move then you will find it very difficult to have any real conviction in your voice. Use your arms and facial expressions to convey your emotions and back up your speech. However don't go overboard, you want the audience's attention to be focused on your speech not your arms. Try not to have anything in your hands. Some people like to carry a pen and end up waving it about like a baton which can distract the adjudicators. If you really need something use index cards.
5. You don't have to stand strictly behind the podium. Move around a bit and face different sections of the audience at different times. Apparently studies have shown that people tend to prefer to be able to see the whole person as this is supposed to indicate that you aren't hiding anything. However, once again, don't go overboard. It annoys people (and more importantly adjudicators) if you walk too far from the podium. Try not to go more than 1-2 meters away from the podium. One way to ensure this is to leave your notes on the podium, you'll find yourself reluctant to move too far from them.
6. Don't be too complicated. If your argument is too elaborate people may have difficulty following it. Don't use 15 syllable Latin words when a 2 syllable English word will do. Remember you are trying to convince the audience that your argument is the best and not that you consider your talent wasted on them (even if it is).
7. Use humour to help win over the audience and make your speech stand out. If you have a natural talent for comedy or impersonations etc. then use it. If you don't then don't worry about it, even the most serious of us can be funny at times (often even without meaning it). You can work out a few put downs and one-liners in advance but be careful. If a joke sounds too prepared than it may bomb. Try to make it sound spontaneous and it's more likely to be successful.
8. The best thing to do is watch other speakers and see how they combine the various elements. Experiment with different styles and try to find one that you are comfortable with. However the only real way to develop a good style is to try to speak on a regular basis and listen to the advice of adjudicators and the more experienced debaters.

WORLD INDIVIDUAL DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING CHAMPIONSHIP 2007

Debating
1st Caroline Chen USA
2nd Shakir Rahim Canada
3rd Sam Greene Canada


Persuasive Speech
1st Argyro Nicoleau Cyprus
2nd Cassandra Tsolakis Cyprus
3rd Stephenson Strobel Canada

Interpretive Reading
1st Argyro Nicoleau Cyprus
2nd Shakir Rahim Canada
3rd Will Harrison United Kingdom

Impromptu Speaking
1st Joe Zych USA
2nd Shakir Rahim Canada
3rd Seth Rosenberg Canada

After Dinner Speaking
1st Joe Zych USA
2nd Emil Constantino USA
3rd James Clark United Kingdom

Interpretive Reading
Grand finalist Rahim Shakir
Grand finalist Nicolaou Argyro

World Public Speaking Championships Rules

World Universities

Public Speaking Championships Rules
(as passed at Worlds Council on 1st Jan 2001)

Part 1— Introduction



1.1 Format:



1.1.1 The competition shall consist of four rounds:



(a) Rounds 1 and 2 shall be contested by all registered participants



(b) The semi-finals shall be contested by the top twelve competitors.



(c) The final shall be contested by the top six competitors.



1.2 Speech Length



1.2.1 Speakers should deliver their speeches within the time limits set down below:



(a) Speeches in Rounds 1 and 2 should be between 3 and 4 minutes in length.



(b) Speeches in semi-finals should be between 4 and 5 minutes in length



(c) Speeches in the final should be between 5 and 6 minutes in length



1.3 Preparation



1.3.1 Speeches in one of the opening two rounds shall be on an impromptu topic, and on a pre-prepared topic in the other



1.3.2 In the impromptu rounds speakers will be given their topic immediately before the preceding competitor's speech, i.e. 3-5 minutes beforehand.



1.3.3 The topic for the pre-prepared round will be publicised at the beginning of the week, including at registration and at the main debaters' and adjudicators' briefings.



1.3.4 Topics for the semi-finals and final may be impromptu or announced in advance, at the discretion of the competition organisers.



1.3.5 Speakers will speak in an order to be drawn randomly, either at the briefing or upon assembly in their respective venues. This order may not subsequently be changed by the speakers, whether by mutual agreement or not, without the consent of the chair of adjudicators for that round.



1.4 Timing



1.4.1 The timing of speeches is primarily the responsibility of the individual speaker. Speakers will be given a time signal (a single knock of the gavel) at the beginning of the optimum speaking time and then again (a double knock) at the end of the optimum speaking time.



1.4.2 Speakers should note that speeches concluding substantially below the first gavel knock (more than 20 seconds early) or substantially after the second knock (more than 20 seconds late) will be penalised for poor time management.



Part 2— Topics



2.1 Choice of topics



2.1.1 Topics used in rounds of the Public Speaking Competition shall reflect the dignity and integrity of the competition and shall encourage and demand those qualities in both speakers and their speeches.



2.1.2 Topics may be selected by the hosts for theie particular local or national significance, but should in all cases be chosen with the international nature of the competition in mind.



2.2 Types of topic



2.2.1 Topics may be worded in the same manner as motions for debate.



2.2.2 Topics may be formed of quotations, famous sayings, phrases or proverbs.



2.2.3 Topics may be formed of lines of poetry, prose, song lyric or dramatic literature.



2.2.4 Topics may consist of objects, artefacts or other physical material.



2.2.5 Topics may consist of visual materials such as projected slides, photographs, artwork or other pictures.



2.2.6 Whatever form they take topics must offer speakers a clear and definite thematic line along which the speech may be developed.



Part 3— Elements



3.2 Matter



3.1.1 Matter refers to the substance, content or material developed during a speech. It includes the issue or issues that provide the thematic base of a speech, together with the ideas, arguments, evidence and support developed during the speech.



3.1.2 Elements of matter include arguments, ideas, observations, propositions, statements of opinion, facts, evidence, quotations, and sxamples of any kind.



3.1.3 Matter should be relevant to the topic, in so far as it is clearly linked to it and developed in a clear and logical fashion.



3.1.4 Matter will be assessed in terms of its effectiveness, both in communicating the speakers ideas, and supporting the speakers arguments.



3.1.5 Adjudicators should not allow bias to influence their assessment and should disregard and specialist knowledge they may have on the subject.



3.2 Manner



3.2.1 Manner refers to the style and delivery of a speaker, together with the overall structure of a speech.



3.2.2 Style may be characterised by a speakers persuasive skills, sincerity, confidence, rapport with the audience and ability, where appropriate to generate an emotional or intellectual response from them.



3.2.3 Elements of style include eye contact, voice modulation, hand gestures, language, the use of notes, rhetorical style and confidence, humour, and any other elements which enhances or detracts from the effectiveness of the speaker.



3.2.4 Use of humour should be rewarded by adjudicators where it is appropriate and complements the content, presentation and flow of the speech.



3.2.5 Structure may be characterised as the prioritisation of ideas and arguments, the provision where appropriate or clear linkage between material, and effective allocation of time.



3.2.6 Speeches should be structured in such a way as to optimise their effectiveness. This shouls include an introduction, development of argument or ideas and summary.



3.2.7 Manner will be assessed in terms of its effectiveness in aiding the speaker's communication, persuasuveness, and general presentation.



3.2.8 Adjudicators should be aware that at a World Championships there will be many styles of public speaking that are appropriate and should not allow bias to influence their assessment.



Part 4— Adjudication



4.1 Grading and marking of speakers.



4.1.1 Speakers should be assessed by adjudicators with the provisional award of a grade or mark at the end of each speech.



4.1.2 Once all the speakers have left, adjudicators will confer and agree on the ranking og the speakers from first to last. They should also agree on a grade for each speaker, according to the folloeing guidelines.



A 90 - 100: Excellent to flawless

Definately finals material. The speaker makes an excellent speech in almost every respect.

B 80-89: Above average to very good

The speaker might be expected to break to the semi-finals. A very good speech, possibly with some minor weaknesses, hesitation or lack of confidence.

C 70 - 79 Average

Unlikley to break to semi-finals. THe speaker has the major components of a speech in place, but also has major weaknesses.

D 60 - 69 Below average

The speech has serious flaws, may be poorly developed and delivered, and only minor strengths.

E 50-59 Very Poor

The speaker has fundamental weaknesses, and the speech is badly delivered, irrelevant, hesitant, and makes little or no connection with the audience.